Secretariat for Youth Apostolate (JYMSA)

JYMSA

(Jesuit Youth Ministry - South Asia)

How did it come about?

JYMSA was established by the Jesuit Conference of South Asia (JCSA) in 1994 after a serious of consultation, meetings and discussions with those involved and interested in youth work in different provinces of the South Asian Assistancy. Youth work was not considered as an official ministry nor was it given any priority in most provinces. Acknowledging the importance, seriousness and its implications, the JCSA responded positively and approved the vision, goal and objectives of the Jesuit Youth Ministry in South Asia (JYMSAO in 1997).

Vision

The Vision of this ministry in the light of our option for faith and justice is to accompany the youth, especially the unorganized and the marginalized in their integral growth and their empowerment, to contribute to the creation of a more just and fraternal world based on the Gospel values and the liberative forces of other Religions.

Objectives of JYMSA

To encourage, motivate and train Jesuits and our collaborators to proactively get involved in ministering the youth of South Asia.

To coordinate existing youth works, and to provide integral growth opportunities to the youth through various programmes and experiences.

To empower, support and guide the oppressed and unreached youth, especially from the marginalized groups such as the dalits, tribals, women and the displaced youth both in rural and urban areas.

To ensure effective development and mobilization of the youth through various ministries, especially the educational, pastoral and social apostolates

To network and collaborate with like-minded groups and movements.

JYMSA Secretary

The JYMSA Secretary is appointed by the Provincial of South Asia (POSA). There is no fixed term of office for the Secretary, though the normal understanding is a period of 6 years. The National Secretariate of JYMSA is the place where the Secretary is posted in his province. The Secretary functions from there.

Role and Duties of JYMSA Secretary

The JYMSA Secretary will encourage creative youth work at Province/ Region, Zonal and the Assistancy level and inspire the individuals and groups to reach out to the unreached and unattended.

He will familiarize himself with the actual youth work in the whole Assistancy at various levels and explore ways and means of coordinating (respecting the autonomy and plurality) different Jesuit youth initiatives and movements like AICUF, CLC, LTS etc. in order to enrich and support one another.

He will organize training for youth animators and prepare resource persons for Jesuit Youth ministry in collaboration with the Province/Region Coordinators.

He will set up a research/documentation/publication center to facilitate effective youth work in the Assistancy.

He will help to locate facilitators and resources for various youth programs at different levels in the Assistancy.

In consultation with the Major Superiors and the Coordinators of Formation he will identify, motivate and train Jesuit personnel for Youth Ministry.

He will network with other Jesuit Ministries (especially educational, pastoral and social ministries) for effective development and mobilization of youth.

He will work in close collaboration with other youth animators/directors (religious and diocesan), ICYM, YCS and several other youth groups both at the national and international levels.

He will convene Assistancy Level Youth Commission Meeting (at least once a year) in order to plan, support and evaluate the Youth Ministry in the Assistancy.

He will maintain a proper record of files for youth work in the Assistancy and submit a yearly report to the Provincial of South Asia.

He will represent the Youth Ministry in the Assistancy Secretaries’ meeting and advise the Provincial of South Asia in matters of youth work in the Assistancy.

He will take steps to build up a fund for youth work in the Assistancy in consultation with the Provincial of South Asia.

Names of JYMSA Secretaries

Term of Office

Fr. Xavier Majooran SJ (GUJ)

1994 – 2000

Fr. Paul Mike SJ (MDU)

2000 – 2006

Fr. Erwyn Lazrado SJ (GUJ)

2006 – 2012

Fr. Brian Pereira SJ (KAR)

2012 -

Province Youth Coordinator

The South Asian Assistance Comprises of 18 Provinces and 2 Regions. Each Province/Region has a youth coordinator. He is appointed by the local Provincial/Regional Superior. The Provinces have youth commissions which are normally constituted in consultation with the Province Youth Coordinator. The province youth commission is expected to meet at least twice a year. The presence of the Provincial/Regional Superior in these meetings is advisable, if not mandatory.

Role and Duties of Province/Region Youth Coordinators

The Province/ Region Coordinator of Youth Ministry (PCYM/ RCYM) will encourage and support creative youth work in the Province/ Region and inspire the individuals and groups to reach out to the unreached and unattended sectors, especially of the marginalized groups.

The PCYM/ RCYM will identify and strengthen already existing youth works in the Province/ Region and explore ways and means of coordinating with different Jesuit youth initiatives and movements like AICUF, CLC, LTS, etc. in order to enrich and support one another.

He will prepare a team of animators and get resource persons for training and organize regular training programs for the youth of the Province/ Region in collaboration with the local church authorities.

In order to promote effective youth work in the Province/ Region, he will set up a Research/ Documentation Center or resource material publication office with the permission of the Major Superior.

In consultation with the Major Superior and the Coordinator for Formation he will identify, motivate and encourage young Jesuits to opt for Youth Ministry and organize training programs for youth animators.

The PCYM/ RCYM together with the Province/ Region Youth Commission will prepare a time-bound plan for youth ministry with concrete action plans.

He will work in close collaboration with other youth animators/directors (religious and diocesan), ICYM, YCS and several other youth groups both at the Province/ Region levels.

He will convene regular meetings of the Province/ Region Youth Commission to plan, evaluate and strengthen Youth Ministry and report to the Major Superior.

He will submit a budget to the Provincial at the beginning of the year for youth work in the Province/Region.

He will maintain a proper record of the youth work files of the Province/ Region.

He is an advisor to the Major Superior on the Youth Ministry and a link between the Province/ Region and the Assisstancy Secretariat for Youth Ministry.

The Province coordinators meeting are being held regularly on a rotational basis in the provinces. The host province takes care of the board + lodge of the participants. Out of the three days, two days are allotted for input sessions. The responsibility of choosing the Resource persons lies with the host coordinator. Sharing of reports and planning cum business sessions form the rest of the meeting. The aim of sharing of the reports on youth activities of the provinces is to provide information and also to inspire each other.

Province Youth Commission Meetings.

Almost all the Provinces have a youth commission. Periodic youth commission meetings are held in most of the Provinces. The youth commission meetings are very eventful in which members share about their involvement and work among the youth; the opportunities, challenges, their success stories and the areas where they want to concentrate for better effectiveness.